County Board hears concerns about gazebo project, honors deputies

Jun. 20—As the Effingham County Board continues to finalize its plans to replace the gazebo on the lawn of the Effingham County Museum with a pavilion, one resident is expressing her concerns about the project.

During their meeting Monday, board members heard from resident Patty Winn, a local educator and historian, who said she's concerned about the county's plans to demolish the gazebo. Effingham County Chair Josh Douthit said the county will be accepting bids for the gazebo project, which includes the construction of a 35 feet wide and 30 feet long pavilion, until 4 p.m. on July 8.

"I need to squelch the rumors that have come my way," Winn said.

Douthit explained that the previous county board began to consider replacing the gazebo after becoming concerned with its structural integrity, and he noted that the gazebo is not ADA compliant which became a "big driving point" for the project.

"Since we found that there is a possible safety issue with the gazebo itself, the decision was made at committee after much discussion," Douthit said.

Winn told Douthit she's worried the aesthetics of the Effingham County Museum would be negatively impacted by the addition of a pavilion, which she said often looks "cheap."

Additionally, she believes that the existing gazebo already compliments the historic look of the Effingham County Museum.

"That bothers me quite a bit," she said.

Douthit told Winn that the county's historical and preservation society already signed off on the project after being given preliminary drawings of the proposed pavilion. However he said it is still the intention of the county to honor the historic value of the Effingham County Museum and build a pavilion that complements it well.

"The drawings themselves were actually approved," Douthit said.

Another concern for Winn is the county's plan to remove some of the trees in the area as part of the project, but Douthit reassured her that only a few of the trees in the area will be impacted.

"We believe anywhere between three and five trees will have to come out," he said. "The majority of the larger ones in the outer areas are not going to be effected."

Winn also asked the board about the quality of the acoustics of the proposed pavilion as she is involved in some of the musical performances that take place at the existing gazebo.

"The audience would be south of it in the courtyard area," Douthit said. "It will be finished with nice lighting, so I'm hoping that will help bring the noise back out and not lose it up into the echo of the rafters."

According to Douthit, the gazebo project would take less than two months to complete, and he said the county is looking to get started on it sometime in Oct. In the meantime, the Effingham County Buildings and Grounds Committee will continue to finalize plans for the project.

In other matters, the board voted to seek bids for the removal of two pine trees on the south side of the Effingham County Museum courtyard. The removal of the trees is a part of the county's gazebo replacement project, which also includes plans to make drainage improvements in the area.

"I believe that they have reached the end of their life," Douthit said. "They're dying, and they're unsightly where they're at."

Effingham County Engineer Greg Koester offered to help with the project.

"I could see if my maintenance guys could help fall the trees and dispose of them," Koester said.

Also during the meeting, Effingham County Sheriff Paul Kuhns presented Deputy Eric J. Loy and Deputy Jonathon M. Torbeck with distinguished lifesaving awards and pins.

Kuhns said the deputies were called to a home in Dieterich at approximately 8:30 a.m. on June 11, and in the home, they found and 88-year-old man who was unconscious and not breathing. Deputies immediately began performing CPR on the man as they waiting for paramedics to arrive.

"I think this showcases some of what deputies do," Kuhns said, "It's not all about patrol. It's not all about looking for bad guys or making arrests. We also serve the public, and we always strive to serve the public's best interests."

The man eventually regained his pulse and consciousness and was brought to a hospital in the area, but Kuhns said he's still having a "tough time" recovering.

"Thank you sheriff, and on behalf of the board, we also want to thank both the deputies for their hard work and efforts in the lifesaving of that individual," Douthit said.

Meanwhile, the board recognized Karen Feldkamp for her retirement after serving the Effingham County Health Department for 29 years. Board members presented Feldkamp with a clock that includes a plaque recognizing her for her service.

"I just want to take the opportunity to say thank you," Feldkamp said. "It's been great working in this community. We work really well together."

While presenting her with the clock, Douthit said Feldkamp served the county "faithfully and with dedication," and Kuhns said she will be missed by more than just those working with the Effingham County Health Department.

"I want to thank you Karen for all the help you've given us," Kuhns said.

Effingham County Board members Elizabeth Huston and Sandra Gillet were absent Monday.

In other matters, the board:

—Approved a decennial report from the North Clay Fire Protection District.

—Approved the resignation of Chris Keller from the Effingham County Regional Airport Commission.

—Appointed Josh Douthit to the Effingham County Regional Airport Commission for a term lasting from June 17, 2024 until Nov. 30, 2024.

—Appointed Ken Wohltman to the Effingham County Regional Airport Commission for a term lasting from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2027.

—Appointed Twila Orr, Dr. Robert G. Einhorn and Dr. Jennifer Dust to the Effingham County Board of Health for terms lasting from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2027.

—Appointed Larry Taylor and Karen Mahaffey to the Effingham County Housing Authority for terms lasting from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2027.

—Appointed John Maguire and Dave Mahon to the Effingham County 911 Board for terms lasting from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2027.

—Appointed Faith Griffin and Gerald Jansen to the Effingham County 377 Board for terms lasting from July 1, 2024 until June 30, 2027.

—Appointed John Taylor and Jim Ping to the Effingham County Board of review for terms lasting from June 1, 2024 until May 31, 2026.

—Approved the use of the Effingham County Museum courtyard and parking lot by the Heart Theatre on Aug. 8 for a movie night.

—Approved the use of the Effingham County Museum courtyard by FACE (Fine Arts, County of Effingham) on Aug. 15 and Sept. 12.

—Approved the renewal of the lease for U.S. Rep. Mike Bost's office space from Jan. 3, 2025 to Jan. 2, 2027.

—Approved the renewal of the lease for the office space for the county's pre-trial services from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026.

—Approved a request for proposal for the county's emergency telephone system control room entrance.

—Approved the disbursement of $1,000 in county hotel/motel funds for Edgewood Fest.

—Approved the disbursement of $1,000 in county hotel/motel funds for the Effingham Noon Rotary's annual fireworks display.

—Approved the disbursement of $1,500 in county hotel/motel funds for Dieterich's Fourth of July fireworks display.

—Approved a consultant agreement with American Environmental Corporation for the Effingham County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

—Approved the disbursement of $9,247 in Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Business Resiliency Grant funds for a grant management services agreement with the South Central Illinois Regional Planning and Development Commission.

—Approved an amendment to the salary schedule for the county's victim witness coordinator.

—Appointed Duane E. Kremer to the Teutopolis Fire Protection District for a term lasting from June 17, 2024 until May of 2027.

—Approved the disbursement of American Rescue Plan Act funds for an Effingham County Child Care Research Committee Gap Scholarship recipient in the monthly amount of $300 for 12 months.

Nick Taylor can be reached at nick.taylor@effinghamdailynews.com or by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300132.